Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey [Hardcover]

Brooke Ellison (Author), Jean Ellison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2002

Brooke Ellison was the victim of an automobile accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down when she was eleven years old. Written with her mother, Jean, her closest companion, Brookes story starts on the day that changed her life. This inspiring story is not just about one person, but about the heroics of a family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a similar vein is Brooke and Jean Ellison's Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey. When she was 11 years old, Brooke was hit by a car and was paralyzed from the neck down. Her mother, Jean, nurtured her with optimism and confidence, and 10 years later Brooke graduated from Harvard University, becoming the first quadriplegic to do so. This two-person account (in which the authors trade off chapters) covers a lot of ground: living with a disability, the importance of mother-daughter relationships and celebrating everyday wonders. The book's publication coincides with the broadcast of the ABC-TV movie about the Ellisons directed by Christopher Reeve.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

At age 11, Brooke Ellison was left paralyzed from the neck down after being hit by an automobile. Writing together in alternating chapters, Brooke and her mother, Jean, document the exhausting efforts and dedication that it took for Brooke to beat overwhelming physical odds and finally graduate, with honors, from Harvard University. The story begins on the day of the accident and ends triumphantly with Brooke's graduation speech from college. Brooke's upbeat account of her college experience reveals her charming and witty nature, and Jean's contribution is a testimony to the profound powers of a mother's love and unfailing dedication. Although many other biographies of quadriplegics are available, this one, written with keen intellect and an open heart, deserves attention. It is recommended for both public and school libraries seeking nonfiction that provides strong role models for adolescents. Academic libraries supporting a curriculum in the health sciences might also find this suitable. Deborah Anne Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Dunwoody
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (January 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786867701
• ISBN-13: 978-0786867707
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #659,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MIRACLES HAPPEN-MY REVIEW, January 11, 2002

By 

JOHN T. RUSSO (BABYLON, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey (Hardcover)

I HAVE NEVER, IN MY LIFE READ A MORE POIGNANT BOOK IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! ALL THE THINGS THAT THIS FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH ARE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! THE BOOK IS SO ELOQUENTLY WRITTEN IT BOUGHT ME TO TEARS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS! THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY INSPIRATIONAL, January 10, 2002

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey (Hardcover)

For anyone who believes the idea of completing an education requires an enormous amount of hard work and perseverance, wait until you read about Brooke Ellison and her mother, Jean. Following a car accident at age eleven which left Brooke paralized from the neck down, Jean was determined that her daughter would not simply exist on the sidelines but that she would, indeed, have a productive and fulfilling life. Jean's encouragement, love and determination held Brooke steadfast each and every step of the way, until ten years later Brooke graduated from Harvard University, making her the first quadriplegic to do so. The book alternates in chapters between Brooke's recollections and those of her mother.

What intrigued me the most about the book was the overwhelming and, at times, almost insurmountable odds that Brooke and her mother had to overcome. By the time the last page was reached, I was ready to give a standing ovation for Brooke's accomplishments as she gives her graduation speech. The book is so beautifully written, it will leave the reader with a tear in their eye, and make whatever obstacles they feel they most overcome to achieve their goals, very insignificant compared to Brooke's trials and tribulations. This is an amazingly inspiring story which is due to be released as a television movie.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story of hope and the strength of human spirit, March 10, 2005

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey (Hardcover)

Brooke Ellison's magnificent achievements, both because and in spite of her disability, can't help but inspire the reader. Her biography is both a tribute to her and to her loving family, especially her mother. I didn't find the story lacking because it didn't discuss her daily life and limitations in depth; I think perhaps she wanted to maintain SOME privacy in a life that of necessity has sacrificed so much of it, and the whole point of her story is that Brooke is not defined by her disability. I think the true tragedy of her accident was not that she was so severely changed, but that we were all so nearly robbed of a remarkable and gifted human being. I wish Brooke and her family well, and hope to see her on the speaking tour. Five stars for an inspiring story.